KINGSTON CITY HALL SELF-GUIDED TOUR

KINGSTON CITY HALL SELF-GUIDED TOUR

Welcome to KINGSTON CITY HALL Welcome to City Hall National Historic Site. City Hall is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee. This short guide highlights many of the interesting and historical features of this building. Built in 844, City Hall is the centre of the City s municipal government and is one of the finest 9 th century buildings in Canada. Only areas of the first and second floors are open for self-guided tours. See the maps on the inside for locations of the features of each floor, including: City Hall Chronicles are historical information pillars that share some of the fascinating stories associated with the building and its occupants. The full text for each pillar can be found here: CityofKingston.ca/explore/culture-history/history/city-hall/chronicles Temporary niche exhibits showcasing objects from the civic collection. The Building Irish-born architect George Browne (8-885) designed Kingston s landmark neo-classical City Hall. His work includes numerous other commercial and government buildings in Kingston and Montreal. In 84, when Kingston was a community of 6,000 and capital of the Province of Canada, council ordered an international competition for a Town Hall and Market for increasing the conveniences of the Town. From the beginning, plans called for most of the building, including its west-wing market, to be rented out to local businesses. A multipurpose structure, the building included space for civic government, business, professional offices, public assembly, police department and market. Contrary to a persisting myth, the building was not built to house the Canadian parliament. Completed in 844, it cost more than 5,000. Most of the money was borrowed in England. Before the building was completed, the capital of Canada had moved to Montreal a serious economic depression descended on Kingston. An extensive collection of historic mayors portraits, one of the country s best municipal collections. Note the mayor s beautiful gold chain of office that grows over time. SOME MAJOR RENOVATIONS 865 Following a devastating fire in January, the west Market Wing was shortened to its current length. Originally it had extended all the way to King Street and included a three-storey building housing a clock tower and bell. Portrait of Mayor Robert McLean (846), restored in 08 908 956 A workman accidentally set fire to the north face of the clock in the dome. Extensive fire and water damage was repaired the following year with the installation of a new clock in the dome. The building s front portico was removed when cracks were discovered in the main pillars. In 965 it was rebuilt. 97 City Hall was closed for one year and extensively renovated.

First Floor CLERK S DEPARTMENT CORRIDOR MAIN ENTRY The Ontario Street entrance was originally an open-air corridor leading to the Market Wing on Market Square. It has been enclosed since the early 900s. Note the arched ceiling and interior windows. HERITAGE RESOURCE CENTRE Learn about Kingston s history and built heritage. Exhibits highlight the city s past and display archaeological objects from the civic collection. Note: Guided tours begin here. HERITAGE RESOURCE CENTRE Beginning in 850, the Bank of British North America occupied this space for 74 years. The three niches, now display cases, are original features. SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD & JOHN COUNTER GALLERIES Until 97, these rooms were public entranceways into City Hall. They now feature rotating exhibits. Featured shows: Sir John A. Macdonald s Kingston and Governing Kingston. PAYMENT CENTRE Market Square MARKET STREET ENTRANCE (RAMP) First rented out to a saloon and the post office, this wing housed the Council Chamber and mayor s office for more than 00 years. CLERK S DEPT. MARKET STREET CLERK S DEPT. CORRIDOR SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD GALLERY RECEPTION JOHN COUNTER GALLERY PAYMENT CENTRE BROCK STREET MAIN ENTRY ONTARIO STREET CITY HALL CHRONICLES PORTRAIT COLLECTION ELEVATORS STAIRS HISTORIC CITY HALL NICHE EXHIBIT RESTROOMS ACCESSIBLE OUT OF BOUNDARY AREAS Access the second floor by staircase or elevator.

Second Floor ONTARIO HALL MEMORIAL HALL Originally called Town Hall, it has long been the location of many civic events. The room was rededicated as Memorial Hall in 9 to honour Kingstonians who died during the First World War. Note the elaborate plaster ceiling and beautiful stained glass windows commemorating battles in which Canadians fought. The bronze plaques and illuminated Book of Remembrance honour men and women who participated in the First and Second World Wars. First Canadian Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald served on Kingston s council when City Hall was built. After his death in 89 his body lay in state in Memorial Hall before burial in Kingston s Cataraqui Cemetery. His full-length portrait by artist William Sawyer hangs in this room. Overlooks Market Square This magnificent space has served as a dry goods merchant s office, a place of worship, a meeting space, dance hall, and offices. From 88 to 889 it was home to one of the first women s medical colleges in Canada. Offices of the mayor and chief administrative officer moved here in 97. Note the classical plaster and wood detailing. COUNCIL CHAMBERS The mayor and council have met in this splendid space to debate, discuss and reflect upon decisions that govern the daily lives of Kingstonians since 97. Some of the curved desks and railings come from the earlier chamber downstairs. The magnificent globe-shaped chandelier dates from 97. Behind the mayor s chair is the City s current coat of arms granted in 000. OFFICES OF CAO 4 Memorial Stained Glass Windows OVERLOOKS MARKET STREET COUNCIL CHAMBERS ONTARIO HALL OFFICE OF THE MAYOR MEMORIAL HALL Memorial Stained Glass Windows Stage SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD PORTRAIT OVERLOOKS BROCK STREET OVERLOOKS ONTARIO STREET CITY HALL CHRONICLES NICHE EXHIBIT 4 PORTRAIT COLLECTION MEMORIAL BOOK STAIRS ELEVATORS HISTORIC CITY HALL OUT OF BOUNDARY AREAS

Guided Tours of Kingston City Hall Join us for a guided tour and see other fascinating City Hall spaces including the former police station and lockup and the beautiful Victoria Dome. TOURS RUN MID-MAY TO MID-OCTOBER Details are available in the Heritage Resources Centre or at CityofKingston.ca/explore/culture-history/history/city-hall